San Francisco restaurants serving up Mexican food may not be anything new, but Nido at 444 Oak Street goes the extra mile to make diners feel at home. This inviting eatery wants to be everyone’s new favorite neighborhood spot, and dishes up stunning Mexican meals, prepared in-house for an authentic “just like home” feel.

The Nest

The Spanish word “nido” translates to “nest”, and diners discovering Nido, the brainchild of Sylvia McCollow and her husband Cory, are coming home to roost, drawn by family recipes, fresh food and an inviting ambiance. The restaurant may serve Mexican food, but it’s very much a Californian establishment, sourcing local produce to create inspiring menus and feeling very much a part of the community in the historic Jack London district. The venue has a relaxed setting, with friendly servers always happy to help; and many dishes are best when shared with friends over large serving plates. It’s the kind of place where families reconnect and friends forge new bonds; and where every meal is a memorable occasion worth savoring with someone special.

Family Recipes

Forget “typical” Mexican food; Nido’s serves rustic family recipes, created with care. The restaurant aims for a local, welcoming vibe, using seasonal vegetables from local producers and humanely raised meat to make its mark on the culinary map. This organic and fresh, farm-to-table style of food preparation is a staple of San Francisco restaurants, and Nido embraces the concept to ensure only the very best ingredients go into the dishes. The seasonally driven menu changes frequently, but the commitment to tradition and excellence is perennial, with standouts including handmade corn tortillas, guacamole and aguachile verde ceviche.

Walk Right In

Nido doesn’t want to be an exclusive venue, accessible only to the rich and famous. Its doors are open to everyone, and anybody in the area is free to stop by to see if a table is free. Reservations are only for parties of eight or more to make the restaurant more accessible to walk-ins, but there is a same-day virtual waitlist so diners can easily schedule their dining experience. Booking special events and large reservations involves phoning the restaurant for the personal experience: No online booking here.

Enjoy at Home

A lack of free tables at Nido doesn’t mean diners have to miss out. The restaurant runs an “order to go” service offering the full menu. Diners have the option of ordering for pickup, or having the food delivered at a convenient time.